Winston's Surgery Fund

During the afternoon of Wednesday, November 19, 2014, our Mastiff and Great Dane escaped the front gate of our property; we are having some remodeling done and believe that the workers were not as cautious as we are when entering and exiting our automatic gate. The entire family drove through the area looking for the pair and did not find them. That same evining, around 6:15pm (just when the sun begins to set), the Great Dane came running home alone, seeming alarmed. This was surprising to the entire family because the pair are virtually inseparable and we could not reasonably believe that the Mastiff would not have followed the Great Dane home. Fear began to set in, and we set out looking yet again. Unfortunately, we did not find him that evening or during any of the efforts to follow. 
It was not until Saturday, November 22, that our Mastiff was found by a resident on Persimmon Hill, who we thank dearly for her efforts. He was taken immediately to the veterinary hospital and we have since discovered, after viewing x-rays and CT scan results, that he was shot in the face, most likely with a .40 caliber handgun (according to expert analysis). The shot seems to have grazed his left shoulder from behind and entered on the left side of his snout and broke into fragments after disintegrating his upper jaw, his teeth and the left side of his palate. Many fragments have ldoged in his snout and brain area and after many days with no medical treatment (not to mention not having food or water), have caused severe infection in the tissue of his snout and the roof of his mouth. He now has a gaping hole n the left side inside his upper mouth, is missing all teeth on the left side, and has a severely shattered, virtually disintegrated upper left jaw. The repair of his palate will be extensive and we have not yet been advised of the likelihood that he will be able to continue living a fullfilled life from his youth (only 1 1/2 years old today), or even a life at all on a long term basis. 
The professionals at the Veterinary Hospitall of Sonterra are confident in their abilities to remove the fragments of the ammunition used to harm our sweet boy, all except for one. The one that will remain in his body is too close to his brain to be removed safely. The vet cannot guarantee that he will never develop an infection if it is left, but believes that it could remain in his tissue for a while without causing any harm. They will use skin from the inside of his left lip to repair his mouth and skin grafts to repair his palate.
As you can imagine, the surgical costs, medication, and the cost of housing him at the hospital for the duration of the processes is quite heavy. We are hoping that through our efforts here, we will be able to ensure Winston has the chance to show the person who nearly took his life, that he is stronger than a bullet.